Nassau redistricting panel has 1st meeting

The panel tasked with redrawing Nassau's legislative districts held its first meeting Thursday, pledging a "clean slate" after last year's contentious debate over a GOP-drawn map that was later thrown out by the state's highest court.

The Temporary Districting Advisory Commission, comprised of five appointees from the Republican majority and five from the Democratic minority, will hold public hearings across the county and submit new lines for Nassau's 19 legislative districts based on the 2010 Census. Their recommendations can be adopted, rejected or revised by the GOP-controlled legislature.

The commission, empaneled every 10 years, is chaired by Nassau Deputy Comptroller Francis X. Moroney, who was appointed by County Executive Edward Mangano. Moroney does not cast a vote.

"In redrawing district lines please keep in mind that you start with a clean slate," said Moroney, who also serves as leader of the North Hempstead Republican Committee. "This commission should disregard the map that was adopted last year. You may use any methodology to redraw districts as long as the product conforms to existing federal and state law."

The commission must submit recommendations to the legislature by Jan. 5, and lawmakers must approve a reapportionment plan by March 5. "This commission needs to do the job right, to help restore public faith in fair elections, which depend on fair district lines," said Democratic Commissioner Bonnie Garone.

The commission began its work more than a year after Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt introduced a GOP map. Those lines, which Schmitt introduced a year earlier than expected and which the State Court of Appeals ruled could not go into effect until 2013, combined four Democratic districts into two.

With an even split among commission members, Schmitt's map looms over the proceedings. If the commission cannot agree to a bipartisan map, Democrats fear Schmitt will adopt his 2011 map.

"What is in your hands is the faith of the residents of Nassau County in its government," said Lisa Tyson, director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition.

Moroney said there is a "real chance" of adopting a bipartisan map. The commission in 2002 deadlocked along party lines and submitted differing proposals. The then-Democratic legislative majority accepted their appointees' recommended map. Republicans went to court to block it but were unsuccessful.